The Golf War ...Top guns of golf aim for Shootout at Treetops

June 22, 2005

A year ago Phil Mickelson removed a huge monkey from his back. As one of the most popular golfers on the circuit and after 13 years of trying, he finally won a Major (The 2004 Masters). Now Mickelson has his eye on another title that has eluded him: the ING Par-3 Shootout, June 27–28 in Gaylord on the much-admired Threetops Course in the heart of the “Golf Mecca” at Treetops Resort.
Long known as “golf’s most loveable runner-up,” Mickelson has lived up to his reputation at the popular two-day tournament, broadcast on ESPN, by finishing second in each of the first six years of the tournament.
“I look forward to the Par-3 Shootout every year because it is fun and in a relaxed atmosphere. You have to love the fact that Lee Trevino made that hole-in-one a couple of years ago,” said Mickelson. “I have not been able to win this tournament in the past so I will be gunning for it next weekend.”

BIG WINNER
Of course Mickelson is thinking about capturing his second major as he plays at the US Open, and then he plans to play in the Barclays Tournament before flying into Gaylord immediately after he finishes.
Mickelson has already won three tournaments this year and is currently ranked as the fourth best golfer in the world. His 26 tour victories to date are more than his other three competitors combined, but in this tournament anything can happen as previous years have proven.
Another tour favorite and previous Par-3 Shootout Champion Freddie Couples will return to defend his crown from last year (Couples also won in 2002). Currently ranked 23 in the world, Couples nearly won The Memorial a few weeks ago, and says he is ready to defend despite challenges with his back. Joining the tour pros will be a couple Shootout rookies: Gary McCord and Andy North.
North and McCord are with the media and split their time when possible between broadcasting and playing on the Champions Tour. Both know their way around the course. North is an analyst with ESPN and ABC and has two US Open Championships to his name. McCord is a “clown prince” and has been a favorite with the CBS team for years. He has a couple of wins on the Champions Tour and plans to use his secret weapon during the Par-3 Shootout.
His mouth.
“I am going to needle them, there is no question about that,” said McCord. “I have played with these guys before–I know what to say. This type of tournament is set up to be entertaining. Sure, there is some money at stake but there is also pride on the line. I am going to try and get in a couple days early and get some practice in. I don’t want to embarrass myself.”

HAZING EXPECTED
Mickelson is prepared for McCord’s antics.
“Gary McCord is one of the funniest guys in golf and I expect to take some hazing from him, but the other guys should expect to hear it too,” said Mickelson. It is going to be fun with four guys who really like each other. Fred and I have been able to play on a number of Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams together. Amy and I think he and his wife, Thais, are two of the most wonderful people in the world. Andy North has two trophies (US Open) that I‘ve been after for years and hopefully, I‘ll be bringing one to the ING Par-3 Shootout from Pinehurst.“
Mickelson is also excited about coming to Gaylord for another reason.
Rick Smith.
Smith is considered to be one of the top five teaching pros on the PGA. He is the Pro at Treetops along with being part owner. Besides working with Mickelson on a regular basis, he has helped two-time US Open champ Lee Janzen, multi-major-winner and currently the number 2 player in the world Vijay Singh and even greats Ray Floyd and Jack Nicklaus have sought help from Smith.
“Rick Smith is well thought of in golf circles,” said McCord. “He is definitely the swing guru, that is for sure. He is also a well respected designer and so I am looking forward to playing his course.”

EASY MONEY
Players will be competing for $540,000 in cash. Each hole-in-one is worth $1 million and with all holes being par 3’s, there is a chance with every swing. Lee Trevino knows that.
Each hole is worth $20,000 plus a $10,000 bonus if closest to the pin. In order to claim the hole win, players must validate by winning or tying on the next hole, and carryovers are common, adding to the excitement.
Couples captured last year’s Shootout in his now-trademark fashion - hanging around and hanging around some more, then sinking a long putt when it matters most. There was a four-way tie when Couples drained a 36-foot birdie putt on the 11th hole and then validated with an up-and-down par on the next hole to bank the $220,000 carryover.
“It was just a 40-footer or whatever it was with a lot of break. I was trying to two-putt and it went in. It was all guess and a lot of fun and it went in,” said Couples.
The Par-3 Shootout lasts two days with 9 holes being played each day. The hilly Threetops gives viewers several vantage points to enjoy the tournament. Tickets are limited and last year‘s event sold out. Arrive early as the fun starts on the practice tee. Expect a lot of jawing between the competitors.

TOP COURSE
The Rick Smith-designed “Threetops” Course was named by Travel & Leisure Magazine as the number one par-3 course in the nation in their list of America’s Top 5 Par-3 Courses.This award, coupled with GolfWeek’s previous ranking of Threetops as America’s best Par-3 Course, offers bragging rights to last a lifetime for any player. This unique course features holes that range from 135 to 216 yards with a 145-foot vertical drop on No. 3.
Treetops Resort boasts 81 holes of championship golf by designers Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Tom Fazio and Rick Smith. Treetops is a six-time recipient of Golf Magazine’s “Silver Medal Resort” award and is rated one of America’s Top 75 Golf Resorts by Golf Digest.

For ticket information: https://www.treetops.com/tix/order.html or call the Treetops at (989) 732.6711, ext. 2499.